Following a report by Ha’aretz on Sunday claiming the decision to approve the units was designed to appease right-wing voters, Barak responded, claiming the construction was not based on electoral considerations.

“For the last twenty years, the Israeli government has retained the right to build in the E1 area,” Barak stated.

Barak added that the move was in response to the UN decision to upgrade the status of Palestine and in light of Abbas’s speech at the United Nations.